Arthritis Foundation to Host National Juvenile Arthritis Conference

July 01, 2014

Children with arthritis, caregivers, doctors and researchers from across the nation will convene in Keystone, Colo., for the Arthritis Foundation National Juvenile Arthritis Conference, held July 3 - 6 in conjunction with Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month.

Approximately 1,000 attendees will have the opportunity to network with those who share similar challenges and learn of the latest in juvenile research and care. Conference participants also will celebrate the significant advances in juvenile arthritis medication, awareness and treatments since the conference’s founding in Keystone in 1984. View memories of this event.

“The National Juvenile Arthritis Conference is a hallmark event of the Arthritis Foundation and a source of hope for caretakers and families coping with juvenile arthritis,” says Arthritis Foundation President and CEO, Ann M. Palmer. “While great strides in the diagnosis and treatment of juvenile arthritis have been made over the last 30 years, the need to exchange ideas, network and learn about the latest treatments remain paramount. As the Arthritis Foundation marks the 30th anniversary of the National Juvenile Arthritis Conference, we reaffirm our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of families with juvenile arthritis and our commitment to fighting relentlessly for a cure.”

Juvenile arthritis is one of the most common, chronic childhood diseases, yet it often goes undetected or is misdiagnosed when symptoms first appear. Approximately 300,000 children in the U.S. are living with this painful and debilitating disease. It’s critical that parents learn to recognize the warning signs so children can be diagnosed and treated early to prevent long-term, irreversible joint damage.

High costs of treatment, difficulty accessing medications and scarcity of specialists are key issues that impact families living with arthritis. Conference sessions will empower children, along with their parents or caretakers, to advocate on both the state and federal levels to address these issues.

The conference also will include a commemorative tree planting on Friday, July 4, at 2:15 p.m. at the Keystone Lodge Conference Center. Palmer, joined by children with arthritis and founding JA Conference attendees, will mark the 30th anniversary by planting a sapling. Conference photos and event updates can be followed on Twitter using #JA2014.

To learn more about the National Juvenile Arthritis Conference and juvenile arthritis, visit www.kgat.org. To learn more about the Arthritis Foundation and other forms of arthritis, visit www.arthritis.org.